Church Of St Mary Of The Assumption

The Church of St Mary of the Assumption is a parish church located in Upper Froyle. It dates back to the early 14th century, with significant alterations made in 1722 and 1812, along with Victorian restoration and fittings. The structure features stone and brick walls, topped with a tile and slate roof.

The church was rebuilt in the first half of the 14th century, and the aisleless chancel from this period remains. The original steeple was demolished in 1722 and replaced by the current west tower, while the nave was reconstructed in 1812. The chancel has three bays, a tile roof, and chalkstone walls, with diagonal stepped buttresses at the east end and two on the south side. The windows are coupled lights with simple tracery, including one Perpendicular window on the south side. The east window, which is original, features five lights with Decorated reticulated tracery and contains a fine series of contemporary armorial glass representing descendants of Edward I.

Inside, there is an Easter-Sepulchre and a low cambered tomb arch on the north side, and a 15th-century five-cusped piscina on the south side. The floor is adorned with numerous fine lettered tomb slabs made of black marble. The Victorian organ is arranged in two frames on the south side.

The nave, which has three bays, features two storeys of windows and a low-pitched slate roof. Its brick walls are laid in Flemish bond with blue headers and a plinth, and it has Gothic traceried coupled stone lights. Projections on the north and south sides house the porch and vestry. Inside the nave, there are two wall monuments, eight hatchments, the painted Royal Coat of Arms of George III, a brass eagle lectern, a stone pulpit from 1876, a font from 1864, a brass chandelier from 1716, and a west-end gallery supported by four thin cast-iron columns. Above the west door is a "Della Robbia" style faience sculpture.

The brick tower, built in 1722, consists of three storeys and features blunt corner pinnacles, a plain parapet, cambered arches for the openings, and diagonal stepped buttresses. Near the north door, several bricks are inscribed with initials, and one is dated 1744.